Plastic connector for connecting parts and method therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a connecting structure including a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to connectors and more specifically toconnectors for moveable, wing-like appendages for novelty items and formethods of using them. Assembled objects such as birds having extendingwings are difficult to ship because of the amount of room they take, inassembled form, in shipping cartons. Because so many objects are nowmanufactured abroad, it is desirable to have as compact shipping aspossible. Therefore, it becomes desirable to be able to ship articles inan unassembled state yet still allow easy assembly of the article, forexample a bird novelty with extending wings once delivered to thevendor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally winged, push-through type connectors are well known in theart. They are used for applications from seating circuit boards tosecuring light fixtures to a ceiling. The prior art connectors are rigidand typically fasten nonmoveable objects together. In contradistinction,applicants' invention is intended to couple a moveable object in anunassembled state in secure assembled fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a connecting structure including a postwith a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality ofprongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the secondend in a V-shape such that when inserted through a hole or bore of anobject allows for easy assembly therewith in secure fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the connecting structure according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a novelty with an apertureutilizing the connecting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a novelty utilizing the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connecting structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodimentsof the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms inwhich the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. Thedescription sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the independent claims.

A connecting structure according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 generally at 10. Connectingstructure 10 typically includes a cylindrical post 12, which has a firstend 14, a middle portion 16, and a second end 18. Furthermore,connecting structure 10 typically includes outwardly flared prongs 20which are flexibly coupled to post 12 and which extend away from thefirst end 14 of post portion 12. Prongs 20 typically extend away fromfirst end 14 toward second end 18 in an inverted (as shown) V-shapedmanner. Typically, connecting structure 10 includes two or more prongs20 that fit through an aperture to secure connecting structure 10 to theobject having the aperture.

Post 12 is typically cylindrical, molded plastic 0.5-0.75 inches inlength, and 0.05-0.1 inches in diameter. However, it will be appreciatedthat other materials, configurations and dimensions can be used, asdesired.

Prongs 20 are typically integrally formed as a portion of post 12, butmay be flexibly coupled in any other manner that allows prongs 20 toextend through an aperture and then expand to wider than the aperture tosecure connecting structure 10 to the object with the aperture by reasonof the abutment or collar stop 24 and the termini of prongs 20 as bestseen in FIG. 2. Connecting structure 10 is typically made of moldedplastic, but may be made from any other material that allows prongs 20to flex.

FIG. 2 depicts connecting structure 10 including prongs 20, abutment orcollar stop 24 being disposed in aperture 25 and held in place by reasonof cooperative relationship of abutment or collar stop 24 and thetermini 27 of prongs 20. In this instance the second end 18 of post 12is inserted in secure relationship with connecting member portion 22which is integrally connected to portion 32 of connecting member 21.Connecting member 21 is depicted as a coil spring with portions 22 and32 being at right angles to one another.

Connecting member portion 22 typically encircles the second end 18 ofpost 12 extending toward middle portion 16, such that an object such asa wing connected to connecting member 21 may move with respect to postportion 12.

Connecting structure 10 has post 12 typically formed as shown in FIGS. 1and 4 which is then inserted into connecting member 21, with abutment orcollar stop 24 forming a stop as previously described. The second end 18of post 12 is configured to extend a small distance through connectingmember portion 22 of connecting member 21. A hot rod or the like is thenapplied to the protruding termini of second end 18 to melt the endthereof to form barrier 25, such that connecting member portion 22cannot be removed from end 18 of post 12. It will be appreciated thatthis securement may be accomplished in other ways, including moldingpost 12 in association with connecting member portion 22 of connectingmember 21.

Abutment stop or collar 24 is typically configured to also delineatewhere connecting member portion 22 may extend to. Abutment stop orcollar 24 is also configured to be adjacently positioned to an objecthaving an aperture so that prongs 20 fit through the aperture aspreviously described. Abutment stop or collar 24 typically extends awayfrom post 12 a distance greater than that of connecting member portion22, but not as far as the termini 27 of prongs 20. Heat fusion stop 25is typically formed to extend away from post 12 a distance that does notallow connecting member portion 22 to slide off of post 12, but mayextend other distances.

In the embodiment depicted, connecting structure 10 is intended tocouple generally “L”-shaped connecting member 21 having portions 22 and32. Connecting member 21, in this embodiment, has connecting memberportion 22 encircling second end 18 of post 12 extending toward middleportion 16, ending at abutment stop or collar 24. Connecting member 21is typically an “L”-shaped coil spring, but may be configured otherwise.In this instance the “L” shape better simulates the movement of a bird'swing, but other configurations may be used. Connecting member 21 istypically 0.2-0.5 inches long, and 0.1-0.25 inches for each portion ofthe “L” shape, however other dimensions can be used as desired.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 it is desired to connect wings of a bird, forexample, to the body after unassembled shipment. The connector 10 isshipped in secured relationship with the wing or appendage 40. The wingor appendage is then assembled to the body 44 by inserting the connector10 with attached wing or appendage 40 to the body 44 as previouslydescribed. To achieve realistic form the connector 21 has portion 22 atright angles to portion 32 as the weight of the wing or appendage willcause drooping or bending of the spring connector 21. As shown in FIG.2, body 44 typically includes apertures 25 and 46 and is configured toreceive connecting structure 10 such that connecting structure 10 slidesthrough apertures 25 and 46 and prongs 20 expand on the other side ofbody 44 to secure connecting structure 10 and wing or appendage 40 tobody 44. Prongs 20 flex inward or toward post 12 to allow connectingstructure 10 to pass through apertures 25 and 46. Prongs 20 then expandand return to the unflexed position to secure connecting structure 10with the secured wing or appendage 40 to body 44. With thisconfiguration, connecting structure 10 will connect to body 44 and toappendage 40, such that appendage 40 will be springly moveable withrespect to post 12 and body 44 due to connecting member 21. Connectingmember 21 here depicted as a coil spring in configuration may beconfigured to flex with relatively small forces acting upon it.

Body 44 is typically a bird, but other novelty designs may be used, asdesired. Body 44 is typically 10.0-20.0 inches long by 4.0-10 incheswide, by 10.0-20.0 inches high. It will be appreciated that otherdimensions and designs for body 44 may be used, as desired whether asplanters or bird feeders.

Connecting member 21 may be configured with a spring constant such thatwing or appendage 40 will move with relatively low forces acting uponit. Low forces may include a summer breeze or other small force, eithernatural or man-made. To disassociate wing or appendage 40 from body 44,prongs 20 are pressed together toward post 12 and connecting structure10 may be removed from apertures 25 and 46.

Wing or appendage 40 typically has an enclosure 42 that is configured toconnect to connecting member 21 via connecting member portion 32.Enclosure 42 is typically an enlarged portion of appendage 40 that ismolded around connecting member portion 32 to connect to it, but othermethods of coupling connecting member 21 and appendage 40 may beutilized. Appendage 40 may be in the shape of a wing, and is typically5.0-15.0 inches in length and 2.0-8.0 inches wide.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a novelty depicting a bird and employingthe connecting structure 10 of the present invention. Novelty 50includes body 44 and appendage 40, and connecting structure 10configured to connect body 44 to appendage 40. With this configuration,appendage 40 may move and simulate the wing movement of a bird, insect,or the like. Appendage 40 is typically shaped like a wing, but may beshaped like other appendages including arms or legs of a Halloweencharacter, or the like. Body portion 44 may be configured to form aflowerpot, but also may be in the form of other novelties.

Both body 44 and appendage 40 are typically made of molded plastic, butmay be made of other materials, including painted ceramic. Novelty 50may be configured such that connecting structure 10 and appendage 40 maybe disassociated from body 44 such that appendages 40 may be removedfrom body portion 44. This configuration allows all parts of novelty 50to fit into a smaller package than when in the assembled form.Therefore, novelty 50 may then be packaged, shipped and stored in asmaller package, thus saving shipping costs and valuable shelf space ina retail store.

In an exemplary embodiment, body 44 is approximately 13.5 by 6.5 by 14.0inches, appendage 40 is approximately 4.5 by 10.0 inches, post 12 isapproximately 0.625 inches long and 0.0625 inches in diameter, prongs 20are approximately 0.25 inches long, and connecting member 22 is 0.25inches and 0.50 inches in a generally “L”-shaped configuration.

While the present invention has been described with regards toparticular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations ofthe present invention may be devised without departing from theinventive concept.

1. A connecting structure, comprising: a post with a first end, middleportion, and a second end; and a plurality of prongs flexibly connectedto said first end, extending away from said post and toward said secondend in a generally V-shape configuration and an abutment stopintermediate said middle portion and said second end.
 2. The connectingstructure of claim 1, wherein said plurality of prongs are configured toextend through an aperture and expand to a width larger than theaperture.
 3. The connecting structure of claim 2, wherein said secondend is adapted to be received by a coil spring that is adjacent to saidsecond end of said post.
 4. A novelty system comprising: a body having aplurality of apertures; one or more appendages corresponding to saidplurality of apertures and adapted to be secured to said body; aconnecting structure that secures said one or more appendages to saidbody comprising: a post with a plurality of prongs flexibly coupled to afirst end of said post and adapted to be inserted through said pluralityof apertures and retained therein.
 5. The novelty of claim 4, whereinsaid one or more appendages comprises a wing-like structure.
 6. Thenovelty of claim 5, wherein said connecting member includes a second endconfigured to connect to said one or more appendages.
 7. The novelty ofclaim 6, wherein said one or more appendages comprise an enclosureconfigured to secure to said second end of said connecting member. 8.The novelty of claim 7, wherein said connecting member is a coil spring.9. The novelty of claim 8, wherein said connecting member has a springconstant that allows the appendages to be freely movable underapplication of relatively low forces.
 10. A method of constructing anovelty comprising: shipping, in a package, a novelty which comprises abody with apertures for receiving connecting structures, one or moreappendages, and coupling structures configured to adaptively connectsaid appendages to said body; unpackaging said novelty; and securingsaid appendages to said body by operatively connecting said connectingstructures with said apertures of said body.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein said securing includes inserting said connecting structures intosaid apertures.
 12. A method for constructing a connecting connector,comprising: producing a post with securing prongs; inserting said postinto a first end of a connecting member; and coupling said post to saidconnecting member.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingcoupling a second end of said connecting member to an appendage.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein said connecting member is a coil spring. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein said connecting member is generallyL-shaped.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said coupling the postcomprises heating said post to create a barrier such that saidconnecting member is not easily removable from said post.